Photos Claiming to Be of New Lightning Cable with Reversible USB Connector Surface

[Cod3rror]

....so does this mean all Mac's are about to get a new Type-C connectors? Are will Type-C be added on a next model update status (more likely)? Ether way these cables will only be usable as you buy a new Mac (or a new USB 3.1 Type-C hub or adaptor).

First, Type-C is meant to replace all previous USBs, meaning: Type-A, Type-B, mini, micro.

Next Macs won't get USB 3.1 Type-C connectors. The CPU and chipset has to support USB 3.1, current ones and the next generation (Broadwell) don't. Skylake will and it'll be available in 2016, so most likely 2016 versions will get Type-C connectors.

 

[bchery21]

What on earth have you been doing with them? I'm still using the original lightning cable that came with my iPhone 5 getting on for 2 years ago and it's still in near perfect condition...

This. I've had my iPhone 5 since Dec. 2012 and my cable, too, is in near perfect condition. I don't think it's really that hard to take care of it...

 

[kilcher]

There is so much fanboy denial about how easy Lightning cables are to break.

I can see both sides and I think both sides are exaggerating. Are they easy to break? Yes. Will they break if you're careful with them? No. Should they be made to handle a little more abuse? Probably.

What does "reversible" mean in this instance? Does it mean you can plug it in without having to turn it a certain way? I would assume so, just not sure how that works.

 

[DoctorKrabs]

Stop bending your cables. This is good practice anyway for any cable.

Fine. I'll stop bending cables. And I'll also stop dropping glassware.
I should have though of that before it happened without me thinking about it.

 

[cocky jeremy]

same, hate them. two of mine are already an exposed dangerous mess (they still work but i am just waiting for the day i get electrocuted). meanwhile the old ones from my iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 are still working perfectly without any exposed wires.

also i am very "anal" about those kind of things, like the cable of my macbook pro and the iPad still have the plastic on it.

You're not supposed to chew on them!

 

[JAT]

Unless Apple makes the things more durable I doubt I will use their lightning cables again. I was sick of buying replacement cables so I bought a thicker AmazonBasics one, which has been great. As a bonus it's 6' so it's much easier to use while plugged in.

That's your problem. You should not be using these devices when plugged in.

 

[53kyle]

All for a new lightning cable as the current ones are poorly made and rip apart after a few months.

They only rip apart if:

You cut them with scissors or a knife
You crush them with a brick
You otherwise misuse them
They are chinese knockoffs (I know this because my sister has had a few and she also misuses them)

 

[Four oF NINE]

Reversible USB will take only two flips... Kind of not joking...

Reversible USB only takes zero or one flip.. Seriously not joking

 

[DoctorKrabs]

That's your problem. You should not be using these devices when plugged in.

You're holding it wrong.


Seriously. If you were not meant to use the device when it's plugged in, it would probably do something like, oh, maybe not let you do that. They are made to be used while charging.

On topic: Cool. Reversible USB end!

 

[D.T.]

What on earth have you been doing with them? I'm still using the original lightning cable that came with my iPhone 5 getting on for 2 years ago and it's still in near perfect condition...

Same here, 2 iPhone 5s, and a 4th Gen iPad, original cables still just fine, maybe touch dingy - well used, taken on trips, used in cars, packed in computer bags, etc.

I suppose there’s a wide range of how they’re used, I guess we’re moderately careful, pull from the connector (vs. the cable), etc.

Is it just me or is anyone else tired of the white cables from Apple? They get dirty so quickly and start to look like crap. I think they should try using a dark gray or black.

When I picked up a Moshi Lightening cable I scored it in black (I believe the Amazon basic Lightening cables are black too). Definitely won’t get discolored/dingy like the white OEM cables.

Solid cable too (though the same price as Apple, I had a gift card )

 

[SvP]

What the.. @_@

That's worse than what one of my cats sometimes does to cables.. (stupid cat chews cables!) .. Some of them are clearly defective then? I've had nothing like that.

You probably pull them out at the connector (how it should be done); most people just pull the cable. On most usb cables there's a thick plastic end to the connector, specifically made to reduce strain on the cable when pulled.

As apple's mantra is, "you're using it wrong" they're right this time ;-)

 

[Azzin]

Plugging in once a day at the same outlet is hardly heavy use indicative of what others may experience.

It's also removed from the device each morning, so it's being put in once a day and removed once a day.

Either way, it's nearly 2 years old and in mint condition.

We've replaced three. Typically they've all been used in the car where they are plugged in and out several times a day. The cables do not stand up to heavy use in my experience. Given the cost premium over a USB cable, they absolutley should.

Not sure what to say, other than perhaps you should take better care of your cables.

You've replaced 3 x cables, all manufactured at different times, on different assembly lines, by different people, perhaps in different parts of the world, yet you insist the cables are all poor, when the only common denominator is you and your use of those cables.

 

[JAT]

Now this is the type of condescending answer we are all too familiar with from you geniuses. Please explain, why Apple is not designing their cables (very expensive cables, I might add), to withstand typical use cases? Since when is it required to tie up a charging cable for transportation?

Oh, man, you were going along perfectly until that last line. The answer is: since we invented cables. Ever looked in an electricians truck? They are dealing with much bigger cables that can withstand far more abuse than any phone/USB/Apple cable ever could, and they tie them up.

Apple does make their cables too weak, but also, people abuse them too much. (and not just Apple's cables, I'm scared to get near most vacuum cords in people's houses) Two wrongs make for frayed cables like the pics posted by various people.

 

[NachoGrande]

That's your problem. You should not be using these devices when plugged in.

Oh that makes sense.

 

[JAT]

You're holding it wrong.


Seriously. If you were not meant to use the device when it's plugged in, it would probably do something like, oh, maybe not let you do that. They are made to be used while charging.

On topic: Cool. Reversible USB end!

A wireless tablet? And a cell phone? You think "plugged in" is the standard use case? No. Seriously. Don't believe everything you think.

I am not holding mine wrong, and my cables are not frayed.

 

[anson42]

That's your problem. You should not be using these devices when plugged in.

You've never used your phone or iPad when it was plugged in? Sorry, but I still use my devices even whey they're charging, especially if I'm on a call and need to keep it going, or reading an ebook. What, never seen a wall hugger before?

It would be amusing if this cable leak was a trashed batch of manufacturing errors and there was zero intent to make a reversible cable... but I'll take the reversible cable any day.

 

[DoctorKrabs]

A wireless tablet? And a cell phone? You think "plugged in" is the standard use case? No. Seriously. Don't believe everything you think.

I am not holding mine wrong, and my cables are not frayed.

Did I say that having the device plugged in is the "standard use case"?
The device being plugged in is a use case just like using it normally is. The devices allow you to use them while they charge.

What about a Mac? Did they make MagSafe connectors because wireless portable devices aren't meant to be used while they charge? The whole purpose is to keep it protected if you trip the wire while using it as it's charging.

Don't believe everything you think.

 

[mazecookie]

For anyone thinking I targeted my post at customers, I apologize, that is not the case.

The post was targeted at someone who said they are an Apple employee, and I was merely surprised to learn someone who has been educated, to still have problems.

As the OP said: they just "stop working"! As a customer I don't care whether that's because the very obvious "the wire comes loose", the "chip has exploded" or whatever technical reason!

For me "they just stopped working" - and that's all I care about! That, plus that Apple will immediately apologise and replace the cable - pronto!

I expect a cable to last forever (and expensive one as the lightning ones for sure)!

The OP did say that. Please note I didn't quote the OP.

I'm sure you don't care, and that's fine, of course you don't have to understand the technical reason.

I don't think it's wise to expect anything to last forever. Whether it be a house, car, furniture or electronics. There is a proportional level of expectation for the price you pay and the lifespan. So I am not disagreeing it should see you through your use of the products. Just don't expect it to last forever, is all.

What?! I expect to be able to "stuff a cable into my handbag" as much as I want and how I want it!

So you admit - as an apparent Apple employee - that your Lightning cables were not designed to last during "normal daily operations" such as "stuffing the cable away"?!

I tell you what: I "stuffed cables into my handbag" - well, pockets, tiny little drawers, you name it - and they never "stopped working"!

You can expect what you like, but stuffing a cable isn't really taking care of it. I don't speak as an Apple employee, but just as somebody who throughout their whole life, has loved electronics and moves cables on a daily basis (home, relatives and friends homes). I, I'm sure like most others, are aware when their is strain on a cable that wouldn't do it too good. I have frayed a few cables over the years by trying to put them in a position they don't quite want to be. All I'm saying is this can happen in a handbag too, quite easily.

Earlier you speak about that the cable is so expensive. I say if it's at a cost that you wouldn't want to replace it, then make sure it's kept safe.

And now you come and tell us to "manage our cables better"! WTF!

Again, I'm not sure why you think I was telling you to manage your cables better. My original post very clearly quotes another member.

 

[robjulo]

The common denominator is the design. Pretty simple to understand with any objective look. Love people that assume because they don't have a problem no one does.

By the way, when we've swapped cables at the Apple store, they've done it for free because of all the issues they've seen.

God forbid somebody be critical of precious apple on here.

Not sure what to say, other than perhaps you should take better care of your cables.

You've replaced 3 x cables, all manufactured at different times, on different assembly lines, by different people, perhaps in different parts of the world, yet you insist the cables are all poor, when the only common denominator is you and your use of those cables.

 

[JAT]

Did I say that having the device plugged in is the "standard use case"?
The device being plugged in is a use case just like using it normally is. The devices allow you to use them while they charge.

What about a Mac? Did they make MagSafe connectors because wireless portable devices aren't meant to be used while they charge? The whole purpose is to keep it protected if you trip the wire while using it as it's charging.

Don't believe everything you think.

Magsafe, isn't that the cable that was redesigned to fray less when plugged in? Yeah, it is. So, I guess that one is different.

You guys are going to spend a lot more on cables than me. I think that's the bottom line. Maybe you should design a Lightning cable that will fray less. You can "copy" the magsafe from Apple, just don't make it too exact or MR will hound you.

 

[cdmoore74]

All for a new lightning cable as the current ones are poorly made and rip apart after a few months.

My wife's cable stopped working 2 weeks after a year of ownership. And conveniently Apple updates made my 3rd party cables useless.
I wouldn't be surprised if the iPhone 6 is not compatible with current lightning cables either.

 

[MrX8503]

Fine. I'll stop bending cables. And I'll also stop dropping glassware.
I should have though of that before it happened without me thinking about it.

Why are you bending the cable at the contact point?

 

[DoctorKrabs]

You guys are going to spend a lot more on cables than me. I think that's the bottom line. Maybe you should design a Lightning cable that will fray less. You can "copy" the magsafe from Apple, just don't make it too exact or MR will hound you.

My point of mentioning MagSafe was that Apple doesn't recommend not using devices while charging. I know they fray horribly too, unless you want to debate that next.

I haven't spent a dime on buying new Lightning cables. I get them replaced at the Apple store for free, since they die before my warranty expires.

Why do you think that is, that Apple replaces them under warranty?

 

[sflomenb]

Now this is the type of condescending answer we are all too familiar with from you geniuses. Please explain, why Apple is not designing their cables (very expensive cables, I might add), to withstand typical use cases? Since when is it required to tie up a charging cable for transportation?

Why would you NOT tie up a cable for transportation?

 

[cgc]

This must be the start of "the best product pipeline in 25 years" because nothing else has been released that's impressive.